PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- "Complications in Sue" follows one woman's journey through life.
"It's about a woman named Sue," says Michael R. Jackson, Librettist of "Complications in Sue."
Director Raja Feather Kelly says she "goes from the age of 10 to 100" and the opera circles around "her existence." The story also gets into her relationships.
"There are complications that we all can relate to," says Zack Winokur, Director of "Complications in Sue."
Cabaret icon Justin Vivian Bond stars as Sue in the opera's world premiere at the Academy of Music.
"You meet various people in her mind, and outside of her mind, who are singing to and about her," says Jackson.
Winokur says these people in Sue's life "sort of shape shift to create the world around her."
"At one point, you meet an ex-husband. You meet a newscaster. You meet the character 'Death,'" says Jackson.
Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright Michael R. Jackson wrote the story of Sue's life over ten scenes. This libretto marks his operatic debut.
"Michael wrote this incredibly beautiful, poignant, brilliant text," says Winokur. "Each scene is one decade of Sue's life, and we assigned each scene to one composer."
"There's a lot of melodic content in it. There's a lot of rhythmic variety in it. Each composer has their own style," says Caren Levine, Conductor of "Complications in Sue."
"It's a kaleidoscopic perspective on one person's life," says Winokur.
Kelly adds that it "represents that sort of abstract nature of what it means to kind of live a full life" and at one point you see what Sue's life "could be versus what it is."
Opera Philadelphia wants the show to be accessible with tickets priced at $11.
"I hope people take away that opera can be really interesting," says Jackson. "Emotional and funny."
Winokur adds that it's "highly entertaining and totally profound."
"People will come and leave differently," says Kelly.
Opera Philadelphia presents "Complications in Sue" February 4, 5, 6 and 8 at the Academy of Music.
For more information:
Opera Philadelphia - "Complications in Sue"
Link to Tickets at Academy of Music
Academy of Music
240 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
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